Quick pellet question

[FloorCandy]

I just adopted a CAG, I put a post in intros about him :-)

He was eating a mostly seed diet so I wanted to try to start switching to pellets. I looked at all the different ones at the store, and settled on Zupreem Natural diet, it looks like big rice crispies, and I thought that the lack of all the fancy dyes was a good idea. Anyway, I gave him some, and he loves them, dug right in. I of course give him fruits, and some of what I eat, pasta, veggies etc, today he even had an unsalted tater tot, and loved it. Anywho, the real question is, does anyone use these pellets? How are they, I got a small bag because I thought I might have to try a few types before I found one he was willing to even try, but he likes them a lot.

Funny story, I gave him a dried apricot slice yesterday and he happily took it, and dropped it. Thinking it was heavier than he expected and was accidentally dropped, I picked it up and gave it back to him, he happily took it and dropped it again, then climbed down and pushed it through the grate, point taken, no apricots lol.

[LovelySydney]

LOL the apricot story is adorable. As far as pellets go I recommend roudybush. I used Zupreem too for awhile and just read to much conflicting info - my conure LOVES roudybush and Im slowly getting my parrotlet to enjoy it too! Zupreem just reminds me too much of cereal, I think roudybush is better nutritionally and yes, it is a little more expensive but I think its worth it for a healthy bird.

[brdfvr]

I feed Zupreem Natural (along with 2 other zupreem types). And all of my conures love them. I decided on Zupreem because it's readily available, don't have to pay for shipping or go to a vet to get it. Also, Beth from Pampered Peeps Aviary feeds Zupreem, so that was the final straw. I also try to give a varied diet of course, fruits, veggies, sprouts, etc. But I'll stick with my Zupreem. In my opinion, it's a good food, easy to find, and why switch to something that they might not like and just waste money? A good food is only good if the bird will eat it. No sense if it just goes the way of the apricot!

[jenseits]

I feed Zupreem Naturals as well. Sometimes I mix other types of undyed pellets for variety (like Kaytee Exact Organic). I've tried Roudybush but neither of my birds will eat it. I think Zupreem is okay. Definitely better than seed only, and better than a brand that doesn't get eaten. But always try to include as much fresh food as possible to create a balanced diet.

p.s. My guys also like when I add dehydrated veggies to their pellets.

[FloorCandy]

Thanks for all the replies, I guess for the moment I will stick with Zupreem, since he really likes it, and perhaps I will get a bag of the other and mix it up for him every few days. He doesn't eat many pellets anyway, he mostly eats the real food I give him.

[Monica]

I am currently using Zupreem Natural and Roudybush (Careline). I'm using Zupreem because it's one of the cheaper brands but IMO, one of the healthier ones out there. Given a choice, I'd be feeding TOP's, Roudybush, or Foundation Formula instead, but at this point I can't afford it. I've also got some LaFeber's to use as a transitional food from seeds to pellets - although I was going to use Zupreem for this, I couldn't find it in the size I wanted without dyes... so I just grabbed the next best thing... Would have chosen Roudybush but I didn't see it in the size I wanted.

[Jag]

Well, he got his point across with the fruit, didn't he?!?

I have tried FOUR different kinds of pellets. *Sigh* I think it's GREAT that you not only got it on the first try, but it's one without dyes!

I tried that kind, and it was thrown. I tried another kind that was colored, and it was thrown. Then I tried the 'fruity' zupreem, and I got ONE bird to eat it. I got samples of Harrison's, and NO ONE would eat it. I gave it another go with Roudybush, and it's a winner. I'm still mixing it with the fruity zupreem until that bag is gone, but I'm going to go all over to Roudybush when it is. I have read that mixing types of pellets is a good idea, too... as no 1 pellet has everything, but even 2 different kinds wouldn't...so I'm at a loss there. I think you're very fortunate not to have to play 'pellet wars' with your bird!

[hsmoscout]

I feed Roudybush and Peanut loves it. It's what all the birds at Varietees are fed. It keeps him happy and healthy!

[some-budgie-loves-me]

why switch to something that they might not like and just waste money?

Very true. Just a suggestion, though-- Harrison's has been really great about sending me samples. I had to try ALL of their pellet varieties before I discovered what Orion likes-- the COARSE (largest size) and Pepper Coarse. So, if you ever feel like trying Harrison's, be sure to write them and request lots of samples.

[Nuesha]

I went to a Pijak Seminar and they told me the best pelleted parrot diet was Harrison's you can only purchase it from a veterinarian as far as I know.


**EDIT**
nvm it was mentioned above lol, I didn't see that.